Applications Engineer General

Exterior Area / Component Responsibility HLM D&R Engineer (Product Engineer)

The HLM Design and Release Engineer is responsible for the design, development, validation, release and implementation of handles, locks, and mechanisms into vehicle closures (hoods/frunks, side doors, tailgates, liftgates, decklids, other Simulated Closures). You will also drive for design improvements to increase quality and optimize cost/weight throughout development as well as through the production life of the products. In addition, you will lead the suppliers and guide the design of the HLM components, achieving compliance to Requirements & Design Rules, managing attributes (package, design feasibility, NVH, water management, craftsmanship, crash safety) as well as the manufacturing assembly requirements at the assembly plant(s).

Responsibilities What you'll do...

• Lead HLM system design, design development within different organizations in the Client to deliver Regulatory, Requirement, Design Rules, and Functional deliverables.
• Manage and lead the HLM suppliers to comply with program cost, weight, quality, performance, and timing targets.
• Understand GPDS (Global Product Development System) and create plans to deliver on time.
• Collaborate with cross functional teams to deliver a robust system at vehicle level, ensuring all system interfaces of the HLM components are evaluated and validated.
• Create and present technical presentations for peer and management reviews.
• Perform and/or review & sign off technical analyses of component/system functional and packaging studies such as: dimensional stackups (GD&T layouts), CAE's, dynamic calculations and simulations, etc.
• Actively participate in the Technical Design Reviews.
• Release and update parts in FEDEBOM and WERS through the product life cycle.
• Review and sign-off CAD in Teamcenter
• Compile, document, sign-off, and present evidence of compliance to all applicable design rules and requirements.
• Develop HLM System documents including DFMEAs, SCCAF, Boundary Diagrams, P-Diagrams, & DVP&Rs
• Lead design reviews based on Failure Mode Avoidance.
• Develop ESOW (Engineering Statement of Work), EC (Engineering concepts) and participate in the Sourcing Process (SOBA, ED&T review, piece cost and tooling cost review.
• Identify validation, durability and functional tests required as per SDS & ES. (DVP / FEDE)
• Address issues with root cause analysis (8Ds, 3x5Why) and permanent corrective actions implementation.
• Apply knowledge of six sigma principles.
• Define and verify engineering prototypes requirements at part level.
• Parts implementation/Sign-off at assembly plant & assistance with quality issues at all milestones.
• Review impact of PDL revisions and proceed accordingly if affected.
• Collaborate with STA with technical assistance through the Supplier Engagement Process.
• Deliver by applying the One Client Behaviors.
• Lead HLM system on Client vehicles launch at supplier, Client Assembly and other Manufacturing plants.
• Travel to supplier manufacturing and testing sites when required.

Skills Required:

• Release Engineering
• CATIA
• CAD Design
• Change Management
• Critical Thinking
• Cross-functional
• Design Release Engineer
• Desktop Applications
• Engineering Management
• GD&T
• Mechanical Engineering
• Microsoft Office Suite
• PPAP Support
• Problem Solving
• Product Design
• Product Development Support

Skills Preferred:

• Adobe Acrobat
• AutoCAD
• CAE
• Change Management
• Change control
• Design Release Engineer
• WERS
• Vismockup
• Technical Analysis
• Teamcenter
• Team Building
• Systems Engineering
• System Design
• Strategic Thinking
• Release Engineering
• Quality Assurance Concepts and Standards
• Project Management
• Product Management
• Product Engineering
• Product Design
• Problem Solving
• PPAP
• PPAP processes
• PFMEA

Experience Required:

• Bachelor's degree or higher in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• 2+ years of engineering experience in design, development, or launch of automotive mechanisms.
• CAD Capable (such as CATIA, 3DX, Teamcenter) & familiarity with CAE tools and software.
• The D&R Engineer is responsible for managing product release CAD and BOM structures, including assembly positioning and mass attribute analysis.
• This role also includes facilitating supplier data integration and developing CAD studies to support and drive design improvements.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple issues effectively and efficiently.
• Demonstrated ability to show initiative and prioritize workload.
• Ability to travel domestic and international.
• Proficient in MS Office apps such as Excel, Word, Power Point MS Teams, and MS Azure SharePoint.
• This position is onsite 5 days a week in office and or Client plant

Experience Preferred:

• Experience in design and release of latching mechanisms, closure systems, or related mechanism applications like Seat and Seat Structures.
• Software literacy and mechatronics experience.
• Strong understanding of statistical analysis.
• 8D and 5Why corrective action and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with DFMEA's, PFMEA's, and SCCAF's
• Knowledgeable in the Phased PPAP process
• Detailed understanding of materials, manufacturing technologies, and GD&T
• Ability to work in a fluid environment when overall vehicle targets, size, appearance, and manufacturing location are not always known.
• Ability to solve complex system issues and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt your role to a variety of applications and issues as required.

Education Required:

• Bachelor's Degree

Additional Information:

• ***FULLY ONSITE*** / Based in Dearborn, Michigan. Occasional travel to suppliers, test facilities, Supplier and Client stamping/assembly plants may be required.
• ADDITIONAL SKILLS REQUIRED: 16 Product Engineering Integrate requirements, design, validation, supplier, and manufacturing inputs into production-ready solutions.
• 17 Root Cause Analysis Use data, testing, and structured analysis to confirm and resolve technical root causes.
• 18 Six Sigma Green Belt Apply Green Belt-level data analysis and problem-solving methods; certification may be preferred.
• 19 Six Sigma Methodology Use data-driven methods to improve quality, reliability, and process performance.
• 20 VisMockup Use digital mockup tools to verify packaging, clearances, assembly access, and mechanism motion.
• 21 WERS Create and maintain part releases, BOM data, engineering changes, and effectivity in WERS.
• 22 Production Release Complete accurate, timely releases of parts, drawings, specifications, BOMs, and revisions.
• ***As this is a fully onsite position, the customer may request in-person interviews.***
• ***Agency employees are required to be onsite from day one, as specified. Please do not submit remote-only candidates. If a candidate plans to relocate, note in the submittal that the relocation will be at the candidate's own expense.
• V2Soft is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.